Rainey's Christmas Miracle

by R. E. Bradshaw

  Rainey knew she wouldn’t win this argument and gave in. “Okay, I’ll call her after they are born.”

  Ernie smiled. “Good.” She stared up at the sky and then sighed softly. “I wish your daddy could be here.”

  Rainey looked up at one particular twinkling star. “Don’t worry. He’s with us, always.”

  The memory faded and Rainey returned to listening to Clarissa, who was rounding out the end of her story about a piercing gone terribly wrong. Rainey pulled the car into the driveway, parked, and shut down the engine.

  “So, anyway, I won’t be piercing that particular part of my anatomy again.” She looked at Rainey, who was just staring at her. “TMI, I guess, huh?”

  Rainey smiled and took the sack containing the whipping cream from behind Clarissa’s seat. It was then she noticed the sticker Clarissa had placed on her vest. She must have picked it up in the store.

  “Did you put that sticker on just to piss off your mother?” Rainey asked.

  “No. I read about this Amendment One deal and I think it’s total bullshit. It doesn’t ‘protect marriage’ at all. It strips not only LGBT families of any rights, but the rights of all domestic relationships except those designated as legally married by state law. It’s prejudicial, bad for business, and simply a ploy by the right wing conservatives to drive people to the polls through hate and discrimination.”

  Out of the mouths of babes, Rainey thought. The corner of her mouth twitched. She wanted to laugh, but the sticker was sure to start a discussion that would lead straight back to her. “I’d rather get through this afternoon without Katie’s blood pressure skyrocketing. If you don’t mind, can we not discuss politics over Christmas dinner? By the way, I appreciate your being so informed. I wish others were.”

  Clarissa peeled the sticker from her vest and rolled it up. She stuck it in her pocket and said, “In honor of this special family gathering, I shall resist the temptation to tell my mother what pompous-assholes she and the people behind this amendment are.”

  Rainey extended her hand for Clarissa to shake, saying, “And I will do my best not to let her get to me either, deal?”

  Clarissa shook Rainey’s hand and they exited the car. Katie greeted them at the backdoor that opened into the kitchen. She gave Rainey a peck on the cheek, after looking in the bag and seeing that Rainey had been successful.

  From across the kitchen, Maria piped up, “Do you have to rub it in our faces?”

  Katie deflected the challenge. “What, that I happen to be grateful that Rainey was able to find what I needed to finish the pies, or that I think she’s smokin’ hot and I love her madly?”

  Rainey’s hand shot to her face to cover her snicker. She saw Clarissa attempt to do the same thing, but it was a massive fail. Clarissa gave up trying not to laugh aloud and patted her aunt on the shoulder. “Good one, Aunt Katie. Don’t let her bully you. See, Mom, it really does get better.”

  Clarissa had already forgotten her promise not to goad her mother. Rainey remembered teenagers’ frontal lobes were not fully developed and they were not to be trusted. Since Katie appeared to be enjoying herself, remaining calm and wearing a smile — and most importantly Rainey was not the target at the moment — she decided to stand back and watch. Clarissa wasn’t finished and stepped between Katie and Maria.

  “So, Mom, what if I told you I’m a lesbian? What would you do then?”

  Helena leaned on the counter sipping wine. She looked over the top of her glass and said, “Oh, this is going to be priceless. Where’s my phone? I need to put this on Youtube.”

  Melanie looked up from checking the pies just in time to see Maria storm toward Rainey. Maria’s targeting strategy had changed. She was now barreling down on Rainey, her face scarlet with rage.

  “I knew I should not have let my young daughter near the likes of you. What did you do to her while you were gone? Is that what took you so long? You couldn’t keep your hands off that child. People like you should be locked up. You should never be allowed around children.”

  Rainey was stunned. She had gone from innocent bystander to pedophile in less time than it took Maria to cross the floor. She looked over Maria’s head at Katie who had the most surprised look on her face. Helena sprayed wine in every direction. Melanie let the oven door slam shut. The room fell absolutely silent. Rainey tried to maintain a calm exterior, while her mind thought of all the things she would like to say to Maria, reminding herself that others were present. She used the same skills, developed sitting across the table from the scum of the earth, not to let her true emotions show.

  “Maria, the only thing I touched on your daughter was her hand, when I shook it and pledged not to let your narrow-minded comments get to me today.”

  “That’s right, Mom,” Clarissa said, coming to Rainey’s defense. “Rainey even told me to try to see the good in you. Let me tell you, it gets harder every day.”

  Maria didn’t take her eyes off Rainey. She glared at her, chest heaving, sending waves of alcohol laced breath in Rainey’s direction. “You have come into this family and disrupted a perfectly good Christian home with your heathen ways.”

  By this time, Kenneth and Timothy had ventured into the archway, leading to the dining room. If Rainey hadn’t been standing directly in the sights of a madwoman, she may have found the looks on the Meyers clan’s faces amusing. No one seemed to know what to do or say. Katie was standing with one hand resting on her swollen belly, her mouth forming a perfect “Oh.” She was in shock, Rainey guessed.

  Helena chimed in, wiping wine from her chin. “Oh wait, I thought I was the heathen, Maria. You did say last Christmas that Buddhists were not real believers.”

  Melanie tried to make peace. “You all stop this right now. It’s Christmas for God’s sake.”

  “All the more reason to respect God’s word,” Maria said, through clenched teeth.

  Rainey was surprised when Katie still didn’t respond. The bible argument was one of Katie’s favorite topics. She could expound on the subject for hours and never backed down from a challenge. Clarissa spoke up.

  “God’s word, as you call it, is a two-thousand-year-old document, written by men, reinterpreted by men, misinterpreted and manipulated by the church, and although some of it contains great teachings for humanity, it is not to be taken literally in modern times.”

  Maria finally took her eyes from Rainey and shifted to her daughter, who was now standing next to her. “That’s the same argument the liberals use to dismiss God’s law. It’s a sin what they are doing. It’s an abomination.”

  “The bible says women who wear pants are an abomination, as well. Are you sure you want to interpret that verse literally?” Clarissa said, pausing for effect while looking down at her mother’s slacks, and then added, “If you do, then we’re all in danger of being stoned to death.”

  “You’re twisting the meaning,” Maria countered.

  “And you’re not?” Clarissa spat back.

  “You are not a homosexual and I will pay good money to keep you that way,” Maria shouted.

  Clarissa laughed. “No, Mom, I’m not gay, but if I was I wouldn’t be ashamed of it. No amount of money could turn me into a hate-filled bigot like you.”

  Katie let out a soft cry and looked down. Rainey saw the shocked expression on Katie’s face and followed her gaze to the floor. Liquid dripped down the inside of one of Katie’s legs and trickled into her boot. The reality of what had happened hit Rainey like a lightning bolt. It froze her to the floor for a second, before she sprang into action.

  “I’m sorry, Maria, but this little family political debate is going to have to wait,” Rainey said, rushing to Katie’s side. “I believe Katie is about to bring our heathen children into the world. You’ll have to continue your diatribe some other time.”

  Rainey was calm, until she saw the fear in Katie’s eyes for the first time since she told Rainey she was pregnant. Rainey’s knees suddenly became jelly as she reached Katie’s side. De
spite her growing anxiety, Rainey spoke softly.

  “It’s okay, honey. You’re going to be fine.”

  “The babies aren’t moving, Rainey. Something’s wrong.”

  Katie stared into Rainey’s eyes and all Rainey could do was panic. Kenneth appeared out of nowhere.

  “Come on, you two. Let’s get you to the hospital.” He was calm and reassuring. “Everything’s fine. Sometimes they get quiet right before the big push.” He started leading Katie toward the door. “Let’s take the SUV, so you can lie down on the back seat.”

  Rainey had never seen Kenneth take charge of anything, but he was most definitely taking the leadership role in this situation. If there was any doubt, when he passed his wife, he said, “Maria, I’ve had about as much of your bible thumping as I’m going to take. Either you get on board with this blessed event, or you keep your ass here, but you will not mar this special time for these two wonderful parents-to-be with your asinine, backward ass thinking. Is that understood?”

  “Way to go, Dad!” Clarissa shouted.

  “Amen to that,” Timothy added.

  In an instant, the entire clan began to move out the back door, leaving Maria standing alone in the kitchen.

  Melanie called over her shoulder to Maria, “Honey, watch the pies.”

  Rainey and Kenneth helped Katie into the backseat of Timothy’s SUV. Rainey smiled at him, saying, “Thank you, Ken.”

  He grinned back, looking younger than he had since Rainey met him. “I’ve wanted to do that for years.”

  Timothy drove with Ken in the passenger seat. Helena followed with the others in Katie’s car, so Rainey would have it at the hospital. With Katie’s head resting in her lap, Rainey made several phone calls, first to the doctor’s service to let her know they were on the way to the hospital. The second call went to the emergency room, informing them of the same. Katie had insisted Rainey program the numbers into her phone and Rainey was now glad she did. She patted Katie’s shoulder and spoke softly to her between calls, reassuring Katie it would be all right. She got Ernie on the first ring and told her what was happening. She asked Ernie to call Mackie, Rainey’s partner, and the closest thing she had left to a father. She tried to hide the fear in her voice, but Ernie picked up on it.

  “Rainey, is everything okay?”

  Rainey smiled down at Katie, who had not spoken since they left the house. She was wide-eyed with fear. Rainey lied, “Katie’s fine, we’re almost there. See you in a few.”

  “Hang on, honey,” Ernie said. “I’m coming.”

  Rainey put the phone down on the seat beside her and leaned very close to Katie’s face. “You know everything is going to be okay. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  Katie whispered, “The babies.”

  “They’re fine too. It’s going to be all right, honey. I promise.”

  Rainey knew better than to make promises about things she had no control over. She, of all people, understood the frailty of life. Her life had changed in an instant so many times already; Rainey knew not to count on tomorrow. She summoned every ounce of strength she had and fought off her fears.

  “I love you, Katie. It’s all going to turn out just fine.”

  “I’m not having contractions. I should be having contractions.”

  Ken turned around in the seat. Rainey hadn’t realized he could hear them, but he must have. “That’s not exactly true, Katie. Your water could break days before you actually go into labor. Did you know that only thirty-three percent of women have their water break naturally?”

  Katie chuckled, which relieved Rainey quite a bit. She raised her head to look at Ken. “How in God’s name do you know all that, Ken?”

  “Maria makes me go on missions with her to South America and Africa. I wanted to be useful. I’m not much of a carpenter, so I studied to be a mid-wife,” Ken answered, as if it was no big deal.

  Rainey wondered if Ken’s pulse ever rose above sixty. He was almost sedate, while everyone else in the vehicle barely maintained control. Her own heart was racing to beat the band. Katie started to tremble slightly. Her eyes flew to Rainey’s, once again dilated with fear.

  Katie breathed out, “Oh God, Rain…” and lost consciousness.

  “Katie!” Rainey screamed.

  Ken leapt into the backseat and was at Katie’s side in flash. He took her pulse, pulled her lids open to peer into her eyes. He looked up at Rainey.

  “She’s breathing and she has a pulse.” He turned his head toward the front of the car and said, “Punch it, Tim. We got to go now.”

  “What’s wrong with her?” Rainey pleaded, losing her ability to remain calm.

  “I think she has pre-eclampsia. It’s a condition not uncommon in pregnancy. When did she last see her OB-GYN?”

  Rainey had to think. Her mind wasn’t responding to anything but the fact that Katie was lying in her lap unconscious. “Wednesday… no, Tuesday. It was Tuesday.”

  Ken continued to examine Katie. “Did they mention elevated blood pressure?”

  “The nurse said it was little high, but the doctor just said for her to take it easy and watch her salt intake.”

  Ken poked around Katie’s knee, his finger leaving indentions that did not immediately dissipate. “She has some edema,” he looked at Rainey, “that’s the term for abnormal accumulation of fluid beneath the skin.”

  “What does all that mean?” Rainey asked, desperate for Katie to open her eyes.

  “If they didn’t notice anything on Tuesday, then this is probably very early in the pre-eclampsia development. She passed out from fluctuations in her blood pressure. Birth of the fetuses and removal of the placenta should stop any further complications.” Ken patted Rainey’s hand on Katie’s shoulder. “Her pulse is strong. We’re almost there.”

  Rainey lifted Katie closer to her chest. She was reminded of the last time she held a listless Katie like this, in the backseat of her car, waiting for an ambulance to arrive. That was the first time she almost lost her. She couldn’t bear to think what would happen if Katie didn’t wake up.

  “Katie, I love you. Hold on, baby. We’re going to make it. We always do.”

  Rainey saw a tear land on Katie’s forehead. It had fallen from her own cheek. She hadn’t realized she was crying. Tim power-sliding to a stop in the ambulance bay of the North Carolina Women's Hospital drew Rainey’s attention away from Katie, momentarily. The sound of the SUV’s screeching tires alerted nurses, who came rushing out to meet them, pushing a gurney. Ken took charge of Katie’s removal. He spouted information like a pro.

  “Thirty-seven-year-old pregnant female, multiple fetuses, lost consciousness and is unresponsive. Edema present, racing heart rhythm, possible pre-eclampsia. Her water broke fifteen minutes ago.”

  “Are you a doctor?” One of the nurses asked.

  “No, mid-wife,” Ken said proudly.

  “Well done, sir. Is the father here?” Another nurse asked.

  “Yes,” Tim said, coming around the front of the SUV. He wrapped an arm around Rainey, who was standing by the stretcher, unable to move. “Here she is.”

  The nurse didn’t bat an eye. “Okay, honey. Let’s get her inside and have us some babies. You better come on too, before you fall down. You’re pale as a ghost.”

  The next few minutes were a blur for Rainey. She couldn’t think or focus on anything other than the scared look in Katie’s eyes just before she passed out. Katie knew something was wrong. Rainey felt more helpless than she had ever been in her life. There was nothing she could do. No bad guy to hunt down, no one to blame, all of her skills and she had nothing to bring to the table to help Katie. She sat motionless in the corner of the waiting room, while the doctors evaluated Katie and the babies. Katie’s family surrounded Rainey, but she felt utterly alone. She didn’t notice the large dark man walk into the room, or even feel him approach. It wasn’t until his hands were on her shoulders, lifting her into his arms, that Rainey realized Mackie was there.

&n
bsp; “You all right, baby girl?” He asked, his big bass voice rumbling from his chest.

  Rainey threw her arms around the giant man and fell into his embrace. “She’s got to be all right, Mackie. She has to be.”

  Ernie and Henry entered the waiting room, coming straight to Rainey. “What’s going on?” Ernie asked.

  Rainey didn’t have time to answer. She saw Melanie stand, wringing her hands, and realized the doctor had entered the room. Dr. Hutson came toward the family and waited for everyone to settle, but she spoke directly to Rainey.

  “Katie and the babies are fine, but under a little stress. Katie has developed pre-eclampsia. Do you know what that is?” Rainey nodded her head that she did, although she had only learned of it a few minutes ago. Dr. Hutson went on, “She’s awake now and stabilized, but we need to do the C-section right away.”

  “Can I see her?” Rainey asked.

  “Just for a few minutes, and I’m sorry, but under the circumstances it’s best if you were not in the delivery room. There could be complications.”

  Rainey felt Ernie squeeze her arm.

  Katie’s mother asked, “What kind of complications?”

  Dr. Hutson turned to face her. “I’m guessing you are Katie’s parents. I assure you most of these births are without incident, but in some cases, the sudden drop in blood pressure Katie will experience can lead to cardiac arrest. We need to be prepared for the babies to be under stress and any foreseeable complications with the mother. We have a lot of experience with this sort of delivery. Please know your daughter is in good hands.” Dr. Hutson then turned to leave. “Rainey, if you’ll follow me.”

  Melanie grabbed Rainey’s arm. “Tell her I love her.”

  Rainey hugged Katie’s mother. “I will. She’s going to be okay.”

  Rainey said it, but she didn’t quite believe it herself. She followed Dr. Hutson, silently listening, as the doctor explained the procedure and that she wanted Rainey suited up in sterile clothing, so she could see the babies when the time came. Rainey was relieved to find Katie reclining on her side with an IV running. She smiled when Rainey entered the curtained partition.